The Octopus Strike Force Unit of Rivers State Police Command has arrested four suspected kidnappers. Among those arrested were ‘Lover Boy’ and ‘2flexy’, who were suspected to be Deygbam and Sailors cult members respectively, and two other members of the criminal gang. The Guardian learnt that a vigilante member was reportedly gunned down following a gun duel that lasted from Sunday, (December 4) to Monday, December 5, 2022. It was gathered that security operatives, including Octopus Strike Force Police unit last Sunday, acting on credible intelligence, trailed the suspected kidnappers believed to be on wanted list of security agencies, double-crossed the assailants at the front of a new generation bank along Abacha Road, Government Reserved Area, phase 2, Port Harcourt. An eyewitness, who simply identified himself as Francis, said the hoodlums, on sighting the security operatives, opened fire on them, and the security personnel responded, leading to an exchange of gun battle that resulted in two of the suspects being wounded. The incident, The Guardian learnt, caused heavy traffic gridlock in the area as commuters and motorists abandoned their vehicles and ran in different directions. The security operatives were said to have cordoned off the section of the road, where the incident took place. Also, the Octopus Strike Force Police unit,on a follow up mission,went to the hideout of the criminals around Sagana axis of railway in Mile 1 Diobu, where the police reportedly neutralised other two members of the gang during exchange of gunfire. Meanwhile, Rivers State Police Command was yet to speak on the matter as the spokesperson, Grace Iringe Koko, promised to get back to The Guardian when contacted,

but was yet to do so, as at press time.